First announced in Super Mario’s 35th anniversary Nintendo Direct early this September, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is an augmented-reality version of the popular racing game series for Switch. Think of it like Pokemon GO but instead of running around catching monsters, you race around your house with a remote-control kart instead. You can create your own race track as well. The concept sounds awesome, with endless possibilities! Nintendo has detailed how Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit will work, which you can watch and read below.
How To Set Up a Mario Kart Live Course
Buying a Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit set will give you one remote-control kart (either Mario or Luigi). Meanwhile, the game itself comes as a free download from Switch’s eShop. Once downloaded, it will instantly sync up with your kart. The set also includes four gates and two arrow signboards that are used to create a race track:
- Place the included four gates around your living space. An area of roughly 12x10ft is recommended for the best gameplay experience.
- Drive through the gates in numerical order using your Switch as a controller and camera.
- Optional: Use the included signboards and toys in your house to create obstacles and twists.
- After you’ve finished, the game will save the path you just took as a course layout.
- Choose ‘Try Again’ if you’re still not satisfied, or choose ‘Done’ to proceed.
Whether it’s simple curves or complex turns, creativity is the key to creating your very own unique Mario Kart Live experience. Different themes, such as underwater, volcanic, and retro introduce a variety of in-game hazards that affect your real-life kart as well. For example, using a Mushroom will make your remote-control kart actually run faster or it stops when hitting virtual obstacles.
Game Modes You Can Play
There are four modes you can play in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit:
- Grand Prix: face off against the Koopalings across eight cups and 24 different races in total. Familiar power-ups from the series are present, including Bananas, Red Shells, Bloopers, and Bullet Bills.
- Mirror Mode: This mode flips Grand Prix cups’ race tracks for an extra challenge.
- Custom Race: The mode for designing the layout of a course. You can add hazards and power-ups anywhere you like.
- Time Trials: Create a course and then race to set the fastest time possible. You can play it with just one copy of Mario Kart Live.
Other features include in-game coins to unlock customization options and steering assist similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for younger or less experienced players. The game will launch on October 16, 2020. Ready to put the pedal to the metal? Tell me what you think in the comments below.